Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the MVP trophy and the Larry O'Brien Trophy for winning the NBA Championship 19 June, 2000, after game six of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game against the Indiana Pacers 116-111 to take the NBA title 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. O'Neal scored 41 points and was named the Most Valuble Player for the championship series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Vince BUCCI (credit: Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images)

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — Former Los Angeles Laker and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal hosted a holiday giveaway event for local at-risk children on Monday.

The event, joyfully titled Shaq-a-Claus, featured gift giveaways with artificial snowfall amid the 70-degree temperatures to enhance the holiday cheer.

Shaq Hosts Holiday Event For Youths

“I don’t really have a reason why I do it,” the former big-man said. “Besides, my mother taught me that if you ever make it big time, to help those in need. Plus you know it’s just the right thing to do.”

Over 300 children attended the event in Venice Beach, where Shaq explained that the day was not about him at all, but about the youths in need.

“I’m not getting anything for Christmas, because I don’t need or want anything,” Shaq said. “I just hope that all the little kids get what they want, single mothers get what they want. I’m good, I don’t need anything.”

In addition to the giveaway, Shaq led the children in Christmas carols, followed by a feast.

“My New Year wish would be that every kid wakes up and receives a toy.”